Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs Panama Explained
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Kazakhstan and Panama. From speed limits to lane usage, each nation exhibits unique practices that affect safety on the road. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad, ensuring travelers are well-prepared for their journeys.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations